6 Ways to Make Work Seem Less Like Work

While the YOU Docs aren’t career coaches, they have reviewed many studies by many docs and PhDs focused on evaluating work performance and things that influence it (happy people are better performers, after all). So whether you work for a company or for your family, here are a few proven ways to make your work environment better and your stress level lower:

1. Repurpose your lists. Doesn’t matter whether you use Post-it notes, a notebook, a white board, a PDA, or scraps of tissues -- we want you to keep not only a to-do list but also an I-hate list. That is, when something bothers you in your job, write it down. Then, revisit the list in a week. If you’re still bothered, maybe it’s time to aggressively pursue a solution (or another job). Our guess: Most of the time, those annoyances will be as fleeting as a one-hit wonder. And that should help you realize that it’s the big picture, not the little one, that counts.
2. Optimize your work environment. Making a few of the following changes to your work space can make it more empowering, which can improve your health and decrease your stress:
   • Add color. A 2-year U.S. Public Health Service study of public buildings found a 5.5% production improvement in a room that had additional color. A combo of green and red seemed to be the most productive. So-called ugly colors -- white, black, brown -- caused a drop in performance, even on IQ tests, by as much as 12 points in one study.
   • Add light. Green light and blue light increase activity slightly, but a yellow light increases activity by about 30%.
   • Add artwork and greenery. Keeping plants in the office gives us the feeling of living, growing things; they’re even healing, comforting, and empowering. For artwork, chose natural and calming pieces.
3. Shift to energy management. “I have no time” is a common refrain these days. No time to think, no time to work, no time to tell people you have no time. You’re overburdened and undermanned. But the YOU Docs think it’s more of an energy-management problem. If you feel energized, excited, jazzed, and ready to rock at work, then time management is no longer an issue. And you get to a somewhat cosmic point (like “the zone” for athletes) where you’re managing time efficiently and smartly. So, really, maybe your goal shouldn’t be to delegate more or take on less; it should be to manage your health so that you feel as energized as a caffeinated puppy without having to rely on artificial and temporary ways to do so. Check out these easy ways to add more fuel to your power source.
4. Find a buddy. What’s one of the best ways to enjoy your job more? Have a buddy or close friend at work. Rather than an excuse to gossip, it’s really a key to being more productive, which also helps lower stress. The Gallup organization has found we get more done and don’t miss as much time when we have friends at work. Why? We feel that obligation, that accountability to the buddy -- and we enjoy our work more.
5. You be the puppeteer. Too often, we let the boss steer us, strong-arm us, and scare us. To strip the hierarchy of some of the perceived power that’s at the top, try this tactic: You can never have a bad discussion with a boss if you start with the same exact premise and goal -- that you’re both out to help the customer or client. To help your boss is to help the company. With some dialogue that evens the playing field (“We both want what’s best for the customer, so let’s figure out the best path.”), there’s less backstabbing and more back patting.
6. Control your flow. Certain traits and behaviors can make time and energy management a whole lot easier. If you don’t already, try integrating these behaviors into your work day:
   • Map your day.Though you don’t have to stick to an exact schedule, you can get some stress relief if you can organize your tasks and not leave your day to total chance. Don’t work off the inbox . . . work off your plan for the day. (Only manage the inbox after you’ve done what you desire to do.)
   • Break often. Take a walk, have a bottle of water, clear your head. The few minutes you spend away from your desk will make you more efficient when you get back.
   • Enlist troops. We know that people are pretty stubborn when it comes to trying to accomplish goals on their own; they think it’s a sign of failure if they show weakness or an inability to do a job. But you’ll reduce stress (and save time) by asking for help when you need it.